Watch Creation Stories

In "Creation Stories," director Nick Moran takes audiences on a raucous, drug-fueled ride through the tumultuous life of Alan McGee, the founder of Creation Records, a label that launched bands like Oasis, Primal Scream, and My Bloody Valentine to enormous success in the 1990s. Ewen Bremner stars as McGee, a working-class Scotsman who started out selling records out of the back of his car before climbing his way up the music industry ladder. The film begins in the 1980s, as a young McGee becomes enthralled with the punk rock scene in London and starts putting on concerts at small venues.

But it's not until he discovers the band The Jesus and Mary Chain that his career really takes off. McGee signs the group to Creation Records, and their debut album "Psychocandy" becomes a critical and commercial success, paving the way for McGee to sign other bands like Primal Scream and Oasis.

The film is told through a series of flashbacks and flash-forwards, as an older McGee reflects on his life and the highs and lows of the music industry. Along the way, we see him navigate drug addiction, mental illness, and the ups and downs of fame.

Bremner gives a powerhouse performance as McGee, capturing both his manic energy and his vulnerability. Leo Flanagan stars as a young McGee, and does an impressive job of capturing the character's youthful enthusiasm.

Richard Jobson also makes a memorable cameo as himself, playing a record executive who dismisses McGee's early attempts at starting a label.

Aside from the performances, the film is notable for its kinetic, often hallucinatory visual style. Director Moran employs a series of split screens, rapid cuts, and other experimental techniques to create a sense of the disorienting, often surreal experience of being part of the music scene in the 1990s.

The soundtrack, featuring classic tracks from bands like Oasis and Primal Scream, is also a standout, and does a great job of evoking the time period.

Overall, "Creation Stories" is a wild, frenetic look at one of the most influential figures in popular music of the past few decades. It's not always easy to watch, with depictions of drug abuse and mental illness, but it's a fascinating look at a moment in time when anything seemed possible.

Creation Stories is a 2021 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 53.